The term "sectarian" refers to a division or faction within a larger religious group, often characterized by distinct beliefs, practices, or interpretations of doctrine that set it apart from the main body. In the context of Christianity, sectarianism can be seen as a departure from the unity and harmony that the New Testament encourages among believers.

Biblical Context

The New Testament addresses the issue of divisions and factions within the early church. The Apostle Paul, in particular, speaks against sectarianism, urging believers to maintain unity in the body of Christ. In 1 Corinthians 1:10-13 , Paul writes, "I appeal to you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that all of you agree together, so that there may be no divisions among you and that you may be united in mind and conviction. My brothers, some from Chloe’s household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: Individuals among you are saying, 'I follow Paul,' 'I follow Apollos,' 'I follow Cephas,' or 'I follow Christ.' Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?"

Paul's admonition highlights the danger of aligning oneself with particular leaders or factions rather than with Christ Himself. The early church faced challenges from various groups that sought to introduce divergent teachings, leading to potential divisions.

Historical Examples

Throughout church history, sectarianism has manifested in various forms. The early church encountered groups such as the Judaizers, who insisted that Gentile converts adhere to Jewish law, and the Gnostics, who introduced esoteric teachings contrary to apostolic doctrine. These groups often caused confusion and division within the church, prompting the apostles and early church fathers to defend orthodox teachings vigorously.

The Protestant Reformation in the 16th century, while a significant movement for reform and return to biblical foundations, also led to the formation of numerous denominations. While these denominations often shared core Christian beliefs, differences in doctrine, liturgy, and church governance sometimes resulted in sectarian attitudes.

Theological Implications

Sectarianism is often seen as contrary to the biblical call for unity among believers. Jesus prayed for the unity of His followers in John 17:21 , saying, "that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me." This prayer underscores the importance of unity as a testimony to the world of the truth of the Gospel.

The New Testament encourages believers to focus on the essentials of the faith and to exercise love and humility in areas of disagreement. Ephesians 4:3-6 exhorts Christians to "make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all."

Practical Considerations

In addressing sectarianism, Christians are called to discernment and a commitment to biblical truth while maintaining a spirit of love and unity. Romans 14:1 advises, "Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on his opinions." This approach encourages believers to prioritize the unity of the faith over secondary issues that may lead to division.

While doctrinal differences are inevitable, the focus should remain on the core tenets of Christianity, fostering a spirit of cooperation and mutual respect among different groups within the body of Christ.1. (n.) Pertaining to a sect, or to sects; peculiar to a sect; bigotedly attached to the tenets and interests of a denomination; as, sectarian principles or prejudices.

2. (n.) One of a sect; a member or adherent of a special school, denomination, or religious or philosophical party; one of a party in religion which has separated itself from established church, or which holds tenets different from those of the prevailing denomination in a state.

141. hairetikos -- causing division
... Transliteration: hairetikos Phonetic Spelling: (hahee-ret-ee-kos') Short Definition:
factious Definition: disposed to form sects, sectarian, heretical, factious ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/141.htm - 7k

Out of Sectarian Confusion
... Chapter XII Out of Sectarian Confusion. I was still a Methodist. ... I still continued
to get calls from the sectarian preachers to go and help hold meetings. ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter xii out of sectarian.htm

The Pharisee and the Publican
... The Pharisee was a sectarian; the Publican was an officer. The Pharisee,
even because he was a sectarian, was had the more in esteem ...
/.../bunyan/the pharisee and publican/the pharisee and the publican.htm

Various Experiences in Gospel Work
... He referred to my remark that I was going to continue to work with the sects, so
that whenever a congregation was raised up I could get a sectarian minister to ...
/.../cole/trials and triumphs of faith/chapter xiv various experiences in.htm

Instruction for the Ignorant:
... This is the first book of this class that was composed upon the broad basis of
Christianity, perfectly free from sectarian bias or peculiarity. ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/instruction for the ignorant .htm

Practical Observations.
... sectarianism. In the spirit of love we should oppose it, and labor to destroy
sectarian names, creeds, organizations and interests. ...
/.../johnson/the new testament commentary vol iii john/practical observations 30.htm

A Discourse Upon the Pharisee and the Publican
... The Pharisee was a sectarian; the Publican was an officer. The Pharisee
even because he was a sectarian, was had the more in esteem ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a discourse upon the pharisee.htm

Introduction.
... expression of evangelical truth, in any form, or through whatever instrumentality,
and who are, at the same time, sufficiently free from sectarian trammels to ...
//christianbookshelf.org/montgomery/sacred poems and hymns/introduction.htm

Tendencies Toward a Manifestation of the Unity of the American ...
... Whatever sectarian advantage such a body may achieve in the state by preponderance
of number will be more than offset by the public suspicion and the watchful ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter xxii tendencies toward a.htm

Adjusting the Local Church to the Community
... As the communities grew, and aided in the course of time by ambitious national agencies,
the sectarian interests mentioned above established new churches to ...
/.../vogt/church cooperation in community life/chapter vii adjusting the local.htm

The Crossing of the Jordan
... all their distinguishing marks as they cross the river, and over on the other shore
not one can be told from another so far as sectarian peculiarities are ...
/.../berry/adventures in the land of canaan/chapter two the crossing of.htm

Sectarian (1 Occurrence)
... 1. (n.) Pertaining to a sect, or to sects; peculiar to a sect; bigotedly attached
to the tenets and interests of a denomination; as, sectarian principles or ...
/s/sectarian.htm - 7k

Sect (10 Occurrences)

/s/sect.htm - 13k

Section (22 Occurrences)

/s/section.htm - 14k

Rejecting (9 Occurrences)
... the faith; (See RSV). Titus 3:10 A sectarian man, after a first and second
admonition be rejecting, (YLT). Deuteronomy 31:20 For when ...
/r/rejecting.htm - 8k

Christian (41 Occurrences)
... system. 3. (n.) One of a Christian denomination which rejects human creeds
as bases of fellowship, and sectarian names. They are ...
/c/christian.htm - 29k

Admonishing (7 Occurrences)
... and admonishing you, (YLT). Titus 3:10 A sectarian man, after a first and
second admonition be rejecting, (See RSV). Isaiah 8:11 For ...
/a/admonishing.htm - 8k

Empire (8 Occurrences)
... And in a church like that of Rome composed of Jewish and pagan elements and undoubtedly
more cosmopolitan than Corinth, a bitter sectarian spirit is easy to ...
/e/empire.htm - 80k

Roman (26 Occurrences)
... And in a church like that of Rome composed of Jewish and pagan elements and undoubtedly
more cosmopolitan than Corinth, a bitter sectarian spirit is easy to ...
/r/roman.htm - 101k

Christianity
... And in a church like that of Rome composed of Jewish and pagan elements and undoubtedly
more cosmopolitan than Corinth, a bitter sectarian spirit is easy to ...
/c/christianity.htm - 101k

What is sectarianism? | GotQuestions.org

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What is the New English Translation (NET)? | GotQuestions.org

Sectarian: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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